We’re down to the last eight of the 2021 Europa League after a spectacular night of football across Europe, where the tie of the round was settled by a single strike from Paul Pogba.
When the dust has settled, the Europa League 2021 betting odds are likely to install Manchester United as the tournament favourites and that signals an impressive turnaround from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
Paul Pogba was the difference for Manchester United
Having taken a 1-1 draw away from Old Trafford in the first leg, Milan were favourites to see off the Red Devils but Pogba climbed off the bench to send the Premier League side through to the quarterfinals.
The World Cup winner has been sidelined since January with a thigh strain. And after a lacklustre opening when United registered just a single shot on target, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Marcus Rashford with Pogba and his move paid off instantly.
With 48 minutes on the clock, there was a scramble in the Milan penalty area and the ball landed at the feet of Pogba a few yards out but at a tight angle. He shaped to square the ball but instead beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post.
As Milan pressed for an equaliser, former Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was denied by a fine save from Dean Henderson.
Dinamo Zagreb send Tottenham packing
The remaining Round of 16 Europa League 2021 results threw up a stunning victory for Dinamo Zagreb, who turned around a two-goal deficit to beat Spurs 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a brilliant hat-trick converted by Mislav Orsic.
Harry Kane’s first leg brace had put the Whites in charge of the tie, but Zagreb’s attacking midfielder terrorised the Tottenham defence from start to finish.
The visitors held out for 45 minutes and then Orsic pulled Dinamo back into the tie with a thunderous strike.
After a sweeping move, he slotted home his second to take the hosts into extra time.
Gareth Bale did his best to inspire Spurs to victory but the Zagreb defence held firm. In the 106th minute, Orsic powered past the hosts’ defence to fire another belter past Hugo Lloris.
On the back of defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby last weekend, this was a serious blow to Jose Mourinho’s plans for silverware.
Arsenal escape Olympiakos to advance
There were no such problems for Arsenal who managed to defend a 3-1 first leg lead despite going down on the night to a Youssef El-Arabi strike for Olympiakos.
Arsenal skipper Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang missed a hatful of chances in the game, but Gunners fans will be delighted that Spurs’ long wait for silverware seems to be going on while their own head coach Mikel Arteta aims to add to his collection at the Emirates in only his second season in charge.
AS Roma, Ajax, Villarreal, Granada, Slavia Prague looking to make noise
Roma were 3-0 up going into their second leg tie against Shakhtar Donetsk and they extended that lead to a 5-1 victory as Borja Mayoral helped himself to a brace.
Head coach Paulo Fonseca rested striker Edin Dzeko as his side has a big game coming up in Serie A when they meet Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
But the Romans are in the hat and have a realistic chance of winning this trophy, and that may prove to be crucial with the race for a top four place in Serie A heating up.
Meanwhile, Dutch masters Ajax will be a team to watch again.
They went into their second leg leading 3-0 away to Young Boys and they bossed in Switzerland, winning that clash 2-0 as striker Dusan Tadic scored a second half penalty.
Elsewhere, Gerard Moreno was on target twice for Villarreal at home to Dynamo Kyiv which means the Yellow Submarine will surface in the last eight after a 4-0 aggregate win.
They will be joined by La Liga rivals Granada, who saw off Molde 3-2 thanks to a second half goal from Roberto Soldado.
Slavia Prague make up the eight following up a first leg 1-1 draw with Rangers by beating the Scots 2-0 at the Ibrox Stadium.
They had a hand from their hosts who, having gone a goal behind, lost their heads and had two players sent off!
So that’s it folks. Here at SBOTOP, we’ll be back with all the news, stats, and our betting tips when the quarterfinals arrive in April.
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